Vasopressin As Therapy During Nonocclusive Mesenteric Ischemia

Background Vasopressin is used as an adjunct to norepinephrine to support blood pressure in vasodilatory shock after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). In this study, we report our observation of vasopressin treatment in 11 patients with nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI). Methods In an observational cohort study, 78 patients were studied after having been treated for NOMI with intraarterial iloprost infusion after elective cardiac operation. All patients received norepinephrine as vasopressor for marked vasodilation. In 11 patients mean arterial pressure could not be maintained with norepinephrine alone (≤0.4 μg · kg−1 · min−1 ), and vasopressin was given in addition to norepinephrine as a rescue therapy. The 11 patients (Vaso) and the remaining 67 patients (Nor) were analyzed for clinical improvement after initiation of NOMI treatment, on the following days 1 and 2, and for hospital survival. Intestinal perfusion was controlled by mesenteric angiography. Results Before initiation of NOMI treatment Vaso patients had significantly higher doses of norepinephrine than the Nor patients (Vaso, 0.65 ± 0.20 μg · kg−1 · min−1 ; Nor, 0.20 ± 0.13 μg · kg−1 · min−1 ; p < 0.001), and their diagnostic score of the angiography was higher (Vaso, 5.4 ± 1.1 points; Nor, 3.5 ± 2.1 points; p = 0.004). After 2 days of NOMI treatment, Vaso patients had improved intestinal perfusion in the control angiography (Vaso, 3.8 ± 1.5 points) and significantly lower doses of norepinephrine than the Nor patients (Vaso, 0.28 ± 0.12 μg · kg−1 · min−1 ; Nor, 0.53 ± 0.34 μg · kg−1 · min−1 ; p = 0.002). All patients survived in the Vaso group; in the Nor group, 17 of 67 patients died in the hospital. Conclusion Vasopressin administration during NOMI treatment after CPB seems to improve small intestine perfusion and appears be to associated with improved hospital survival.